E-Day! at State Capitol - Activists and Others Honored at Annual Event

Over 30 groups and sustainable businesses participated in the West Virginia Environmental Council’s 16th annual E-Day! at the State Capitol. This year, we tabled in the hallways in front of the House and Senate chambers, so we had loads of traffic. As usual, though, legislators largely steered clear of our displays – must be scary for them to contemplate the people’s need for clean air, clean water and clean elections.

New exhibitors this year included the Citizens for Clean Elections and the Sludge Safety Project (SSP). Mingo County resident Walter Young, Boone County resident Maria Gunnoe and her daughter, and United Mine Worker miners Dwight Siemiaczko and Charlie Treadway staffed the SSP table, handing out brochures about coal sludge impoundments. Later that evening at the E-Day! reception, Steve Himes treated us to some smooth jazz before an emotional awards ceremony. Many thanks to the E-Council lobby team, staff and board of directors for pulling off an excellent E-Day!

2005 Environmental Council Award Winners:

Laura Forman Grassroots Environmental Activist – Judith S. Rodd.

Linda Schnautz Environmental Courage – Maria Gunnoe.

Green Entrepreneur – LaPaix Herb Farm, Myra Bonhage-Hale.

Chuck Chambers Public Service – Libby Chatfield.

Mother Jones Award – Dave Saville.